Advice On 2x2's

Go for the Flat Cinch Stapler, it saves time by not having to use pliers to flatten the staple backs, which need to be done in stapled 2x2 holders, so as not scratch or tear other coins in storage during removal or placement in a box. For years I used a pair of needle nosed pliers, but after buying this stapler, I am really happy, (first I bought one of the mini ones, but it's just too small for my hands to use comfortably).

I got the Max Flat-Clinch Standard HD-50DF off ebay but they are available all over the Internet and many local office supply stores or Amazon.

I also highly recommend the Max brand flat cinch stapler, it's a lot nicer to use and in addition to helping avoid coin damage, the flat staples make it much easier to fit 2x2s into binder pages, in case you want to organize coins that way.

On the topic, do y'all normally use 3 or 4 staples on the 2x2s? I used to be a 4-stapler but since I realized I could get by with only 3 I started doing that. Do you think it matters how close the staples are to the coin opening?

I use 3 staples myself, I also never really liked the self adhesive 2x2s as I worry about the adhesive leeching off and outgassing to the coins, changing the colors, especially copper coins. I have never scratched a coin that I am aware of with a staple. When I remove the coin from a holder, I use a razor knife to simply cut away the mylar plastic around the circle and let the coin fall out onto a towel, rather than separating the two stapled sides and pulling the coin out.

I use non-adhesive 2x2. If you trawl the archives of CCF, you'll see not one, not a few, but many, many tales of woe, where members record the sight, the sound, and their visceral reaction to your precious coin slipping from an adhesive 2x2 that failed. It's sad reading: really.

I use a flat-clinch stapler, that I got at a specialist stationery shop. It cost less than $10.

I also got a staple-removing tool - about $3, as I recall.

I appreciate all of the advice. I already have purchased the flat clinch stapler which has a tough time going through those 2x2s. I was just trying to narrow down what is the weak link.

I boughta 100 count box of 2x2's for Quarters on ebay & a regular desk stapler goes through them with no problem.

Am I allowed to give the ebay seller's name or information on here?

I wouldn't spend less than $15 on a flat-clinch stapler. Last one I had broke on me. My regular one is doing fine right now but it takes a bit longer to use. First I align (aim) where the staple will go, then a ram it hard. Before I did it like this I would get 50% of the staples bent out of shape because they weren't piercing the cardboard. Then I use long nose pliers to straighten out the back. Slow care must be taken that they are not "pushed" sideways, thereby making them flat and not slanted (like a side-sleeping position). Not clinching your staples will waste a lot of space in your boxes, or create grooves in your plastic sheet and warping the plastic and also make the 2x2s harder to insert and take out. Also protruding staples, if the 2x2s are stacked up in a box, can bang up against each other in your hand while looking through them, possibly damaging the mylar or the coin itself.